creativity, innovation, leadership

Most of us were raised with faulty ideas about our mental capacity — such as the notion that IQ is fixed at age seven, that brain cells degrade yearly after age thirty, and that memory and learning ability inevitably decline with age.

These notions, based on the scientific understanding that was prevalent in the 1950s, are myths — dangerous myths that can stifle our ability to flourish in the second half of life.

Just as Copernicus overturned the myth that the earth was at the center of the universe, so contemporary neuroscience has revolutionized our understanding of the potential to improve mental functioning as we age.

We now know the following:

Your mental abilities, including memory, are designed to improve throughout life. Neuroscientists call this neuroplasticity (neuro refers to neurons, otherwise known as brain cells, and plasticity is the quality of being changeable or malleable). As neuroscientist Richard Restak, MD, emphasizes, “Your brain is designed to improve with use.”

Although some brain cells die as we age, we can generate new cells.Neuroscientists call this neurogenesis. Gene Cohen, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University, states, “We can indeed form new brain cells, despite a century of being told that it’s impossible.”

Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Agepresents practical, evidence-based wisdom to help you integrate this new understanding into your life, now.

Since the book was released I’ve done many interviews and in the process I’ve coined two new words to help you understand the significance of the new paradigm.

This is important because although many people have a theoretical understanding of the notion of neuroplasticity they haven’t integrated this new understanding into their language and behavior. Creating names for outdated beliefs may make it easier to let go of them. I call the old paradigm:neurostatic. The neurostatic mindset was based on the belief that your mental potential was fixed at age seven and that there was nothing you could do to develop it. Neuroplasticity replaces neurostasis.

And, the old paradigm needs another word to be fully understood: Neuronecrotic,(necrotic from the Greek root nekroun meaning “to make dead”). The neuronecrotic mindset was based on the belief that your brain cells inevitable degrade yearly after age thirty, and that memory and learning ability inevitably decline with age. Neurogenesis replaces neuronecrosis.

Why have I introduced these new words? As my friend and colleague Grand Master Raymond Keene O.B.E. explains, “If we verbally identify the fallacy it is that much easier to free ourselves from its pernicious influence.”

I also recommend practicing Tai Chi (and Chi Kung). Practiced by millions of Chinese, Tai Chi is becoming increasingly popular in the West. The benefits of this elegant, graceful movement practice are being confirmed by scientific study. Peter M. Wayne, PhD, of, the Harvard Medical School explains, “A growing body of carefully conducted research is building a compelling case for tai chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment for the prevention and rehabilitation of many conditions commonly associated with age.”

(c) photo by Nathalie Schueller

There is a fascinating topic that keeps crossing my editor’s desk: neuroplasticity, which is the popular term for your brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. The scientific evidence on brain research now points to the surprising fact that our minds are designed to improve as we get older. That’s right – better watch out for the 60 year old start-up CEO with that wise, expansive brain, leaving the youngsters in the dust!

Wherever you are in your life’s circle, this is very good news: Your brain is the one organ in your body that will not squeak, pinch, hurt or outright deteriorate as you age, if you treat it right. In fact, your brain has the ability to significantly improve as you mature, which will have a huge impact on society and the way we run our businesses as soon as the 76 million baby boomers in this country realize that senior moments can – and should be – a thing from the past.

For the first part on my mini-series on neuroplasticity I recently sat down with accomplished author and international business consultant Michael J. Gelb to discuss the findings of his brand new book “Brain Power – Improve Your Mind as You Age”. Michael was still recovering from knee surgery (and a hip replacement two years prior) when we met in the lobby of the Ritz Carlton hotel in DC. Now turning 60, Michael himself has experienced the physical challenges that come with age. But when I asked him about Brain Power, his 13th book and “the most important I ever wrote” the author, whose previous books sold three million copies worldwide, practically jumped out of his seat.

Bettina Gordon:What exactly is neuroplasticity?

Michael Gelb: Neuro is the brain cell and plasticity means flexible, adaptable, and changeable. To understand neuroplasticity we need to recognize what the old paradigm was that we might call ‘neuro static’. Until recently the scientific establishment had a consensus that the brain couldn’t change, and that the brain is pretty well finished developing in childhood, and starts to decline after age 30. You might even call it ‘neuro necrotic’ because it was believed that your brain cells just die relentlessly and there was no hope of regeneration or developing new patterns of connection. It was believed by earnest, thoughtful scientists that this was the nature of our brains.

Bettina:What changed?

Michael: These assumptions have been overturned largely because we now have the technology to map your brain. We have MRI’s and brain scans so we can watch people as they learn new things. We can look at a person’s brain when he learns a new task, like learning how to juggle. You practice juggling for 15 minutes as an adult and we can watch your brain form new connections.

Bettina:And how significant is the finding that my brain forms new neuro connections?

Michael: It’s revolutionary because it is infallible proof that our brains can get better with age. We can now watch the brain grow and adapt and change and improve. Lots of studies have now been done on how to strengthen brain connections, and how to even generate new brain cells. There is another new word ’neurogenesis’; we used to believe it was not possible for grown-ups to generate new brain cells – but it turns out it is. Of course some cells do die as we get older, but we have more than 100 billion cells and use only a fraction of them. We’re underutilizing our mental capacity and can develop much more of our potential and our abilities as we age.

Bettina:The science of strengthening your brain at any age has developed within the last couple of decades, but only now it’s making its way into mainstream’s consciousness?

Michael: Yes, that is why I wrote this book. Many intelligent people read the science section of the newspaper and they’ve heard of neuroplasticity, but they haven’t in any way integrated it into their own life. They grew up believing the neuro static notion and that the brain is getting older. Attitude is a self-fulfilling prophecy and that’s surely one of the reasons it took so long to become a more popular topic.

The impact of science on neuroplasticity is outstanding. There are clinicians all over the world that are applying neuroplasticity to do things that seemed impossible, like helping people who have never been able to hear recruit part of the brain in order to hear again, see again, or speak. They help people recover functions we used to think were lost forever. It doesn’t mean that it’s easy and it doesn’t mean that anybody who has a problem will magically be cured, because there’s a tremendous amount of discipline and work involved. But it can be done.

Bettina:A brain can improve at really any age?

Michael: Yes, any age. The issue is not “do we have the capacity?” The issue is that we get stuck in limiting habits. We do the same neuro muscular patterns over and over again, as we do the same movements over and over. We think the same thoughts, because we tend to be dominated by unconscious automatic brain patterns. So we’re instinctively more concerned with our survival, safety, esteem and ego rather than with our creativity, vision and transformation.

So in order to change that and develop our untapped brain capacity, it needs a conscious intervention. If you leave your brain unattended by consciousness you will not improve your brain and it will get worse because you do the same thing you are used to doing, and you won’t learn new things and eventually become limited. Some people are on automatic pilot. The good news is you can turn this around at any age, as long as you don’t already have any dementia. There was a study done on people who are 100 years old learning new things and significantly improving their scores on memory tests.

Bettina: But many of our elders already struggle with dementia or other forms of deterioration of the mind.

Michael: It does not have to be like that. My book is of huge benefit for all the people who do not want to experience any form of dementia in their later years, and who are willing to form good habits now. Look, I’m aware that parts of us do wear out as we get older. I had a knee replacement and a hip replacement, because I used them a lot and they wore out. But the good news is that is not how our brain works! If you use it a lot it doesn’t wear out, it gets better.

Bettina:Then let’s talk about the different ways to prevent dementia and improve the brain!

Michael: It’s been found that activities that challenge the mind actually help to prevent dementia. People who play chess, play bridge or learn new languages, are less likely to get dementia. You can compare it to going to the gym and lifting weights or getting on the exercise bike – you are building your strength and your cardiovascular abilities so that you’re healthier and stronger and keep more muscle tone with less bone loss. When you learn new things you’re strengthening your brain by making new neuromuscular connections and new synaptic connections – new pathways of your brain – so you’re getting your brain functioning in a more lively way. And the more parts of your brain that are working and being challenged and awakened, the healthier and sharper your brain seems to be. Your brain likes to be stimulated.

Bettina:Are people with a more positive outlook on aging more apt to improve their brain, or does general attitude towards life not matter that much?

Michael: Well, there was a study of 650 subjects; those with a negative attitude toward aging, and those with a positive attitude toward aging. The positive attitude group outlived the negative group by an average of 7 ½ years. I’m interested in longevity PLUS improvement. I don’t want you to just live longer, with no memory, no joy, and no pleasure. This book is about living longer and more intelligently and improving your mind as you get older, really.

My expertise is in the educational elements of the new paradigm. In other words, what are the practical, simple, research-validated things that the average person can do to prevent dementia and improve their minds as they get older? It’s about fundamentally shifting your mindset about getting older so that you look forward to deepening your wisdom. My favorite line is “aging well is the supreme expression of wisdom”. I don’t think we should use the phrase “anti-aging” any longer but rather talk about aging gracefully, aging intelligently, aging wisely; that’s what this book is about.

Bettina:Attitude is obviously key. How else can I change my brain’s circuitry?

Michael: Multiple studies show that people who keep a gratitude journal improve their brain’s circuitry. It’s simple things, like writing down something you’re grateful for and feeling grateful for these things for just five minutes each day. These people have a much better perceived sense of well-being over the course of however long they keep the gratitude journal. They also show improvements in their immune function, which is why they may live longer. Same thing with forgiveness, which is harder for a lot of people. Humor is an amazing tool and also strengthens the immune system, and keeps your mind alive and sharp. If you are witty you are making new connections with your mind. Laughing is therapeutic; you’re deepening your respiration and stimulating your endorphins. Learning something new, like a new language, and studying for 15 minutes per day makes a huge difference in your brain’s functionality.

Bettina: 15 minutes a day is all?

Michael: Yes, that’s not too much to ask to keep your brain alive, is it?! Learning something new seems a key factor. Regular exercise is important as well, because your brain is 2% of your body’s weight but it uses 20% of your body’s oxygen. So walking, strength training or stretching is paramount, a minimum of 20 minutes to an hour a day would be best. Also working on your balance is key. People are often losing their balance when they get older. It’s a missing link in a lot of fitness programs, so we teach you how to do it in the book. We give people a lot of advice on how to start and maintain a fitness program because it’s something I’m very passionate about. The next key point of course is diet and nutrition. In the book we suggest simple things that everybody can do, like drinking plenty of water, eating breakfast, eliminating all junk from your diet, no more trans fats, no excess sugar, that kind of thing. In short, don’t eat toxic crap!

And watch those high glycemic carbohydrates. Some people digest them better than others, but if you cut calories and notice you’re still gaining weight it’s probably the effect of carbohydrates on your metabolism and on your hormonal balance, or rather, imbalance. There are supplements that I recommend as well to improve your brain function. Bottom line is that if you decide you want to feel good, you’ll start making better choices. Among the anti-oxidants that are “rust proofers” are, in moderation, red wine with dinner, coffee in the morning and high-quality dark chocolate once a day, for example. They are all high in anti-oxidants and really good for you.

Michael Gelb: Aging well is the supreme expression of wisdom. If you want to age well, then nurture your wisdom by studying the lives of great men and women from all walks of life who continued to be productive and fulfilled in their later years.

Bettina:How about stimulating your creativity and your senses?

Michael: Absolutely, I call it the brain enhancing environment. Peel yourself away from those nasty TV shows and listen to good music instead, or go outside for a walk in nature. We need to consciously create a positive, enriching, stimulating environment, instead of the stupor many people find themselves in almost automatically, whether by using drugs, alcohol or TV as their mode of relaxation.

Getting enough rest is also important. Just as we are chronically dehydrated, we are chronically rest deprived. So getting eight hours of sleep, taking a nap, and learning to meditate are some of the absolute best things to do. We included a lot of guidance on sleeping well, and 20 minutes of meditation in our book. Our book comes with a downloadable Brain Sync Audio program to balance your brain hemispheres and optimize mental performance, created by my co-author. I’m also very excited about our research because of its implication on society: if we could get millions of people doing the exercises in this book, the savings would be phenomenal. It would literally save billions of dollars in healthcare.

Bettina:What is the impact in the business world?

Michael: There is absolutely no reason anymore, to retire a 65 year old who has improved with age! Or to make it difficult for a 50 year old to find a new job, because he’s “old news”. Wrong! With this knowledge, every employer can now make a more informed decision. They would be crazy to let go of their wisest and most experienced people who only get smarter with age. An older employee who consciously improves can be the biggest asset for a company and quite easily outperform younger people.

Bettina:Can and will these scientific findings now significantly shift the way that we look at old people here in America so that we start to revere our elders and treat them with respect?

Michael: Well that’s my intention, which added a new dimension to my sense of purpose. If television programs or public speakers said about women or ethnic minorities what is said about old people they would be vilified or even put in jail for discrimination, but people continue to slander people over the age of 55 as if they are some sort of pathetic wretches. Your brain’s functionality has less to do with age than your long-term habits. So put Mozart on your computer, start playing chess, stop eating crap every day, meet new people; and of course, read our book!

In the last 30 years the scientific evidence supporting the notion that your mind can improve through the years has become overwhelming. Clearly, the question is no longer whether your mind can improve with age, but rather how you can optimize your mental powers as you get older.

This program presents practical, evidence-based information on improving your mind throughout life.

Just as Copernicus overturned the myth that the earth was at the center of the universe, so contemporary neuroscience has revolutionized our understanding of the potential to improve mental functioning as we age.

In this compelling, inspirational and supremely practical 4-week program you’ll be presented with the evidence for this new paradigm and, most importantly, you will learn to incorporate this new way of understanding aging so you can improve your mind every year of your life.

Michael Gelb thinks you’re a genius. Or thinks you can be if you follow his program, which teaches the creatively challenged thinkers of today how to emulate “the greatest genius of all time.” And that very model of a modern innovative thinker is not Steve Jobs or Stephen Hawking; it’s Leonardo da Vinci.

So explained Gelb, a best-selling author, motivational speaker and self-made Renaissance man, at the recent Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood, co-hosted by the resort and the Napa Valley Vintners. Convening for four days in February, the symposium attracted some 70 speakers, panelists and attendees, including Joshua Greene, editor of Wine & Spirits Magazine; Eric Asimov, chief wine critic for New York Times; Guy Woodward, editor of Decanter Magazine; and Antonio Galloni of Wine Advocate.

Da Vinci was a hero of Gelb’s since childhood; a real-life Superman who “embodied all we know about human potential.” And so in 1994, armed with a fascination for the artist and a free ticket to Florence, Gelb followed in the footsteps of the master, studying da Vinci’s notebooks, inventions and artworks and developing a renaissance roadmap for the journey from intellect to inspiration. Gelb distilled from da Vinci’s work seven universal principles of the creative process — “the essential elements of genius,” he said — which include:

• Curiositá: An insatiably curious approach to life and unrelenting quest for continuous learning.

• Dimonstratzione: A commitment to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

• Sensazione: The continual refinement of the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience.

• Sfumato: A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty.

• Arte/Scienza: The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination.

• Corporalitá: The cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise.

• Connessione: A recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena.

Exploring these elements will kick-start creativity, although this requires concentrated effort and diligent capture of your every fleeting and potentially brilliant thought, Gelb asserted. It also requires hand-gestures, and Gelb coached the crowd on how to punctuate each Italian phrase with the appropriate wave of the arm, flip of the wrist and twist of the tongue.

“Wine is the elixir of genius … the preferred libation for many of the finest minds who ever lived,” he said. “All the great thinkers met at the palace of the Medici, where they drank wine and talked about truth and beauty and goodness.”

Not surprisingly, Gelb said he found the Napa Valley to be a particularly conducive atmosphere for creative thinking, as it embodies the joie de vivre and la dolce vita he advocates. “This is one of the most beautiful places in the world … a temple to the elixir of genius.”

Of course, even da Vinci grew older, and some might worry that it may be too late to teach an old brain new tricks. Not so, assures Gelb, whose latest book, “Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Age,” promises that even a mature mind can become better, if properly challenged and exercised.

“We grew up thinking that the brain declines after age 30. We now know that it was intended to improve with use,” he said.

As Gelb sees it: “Iron rusts from disuse and water that does not flow becomes stagnant. … It is the same with the human mind.” With a knowing smile, he suggests that adopting da Vinci’s creative strategies for genius thinking might operate like RustOleum for the brain that, when paired with Resveratrol from fine wine, will keep the mental machinery humming.

Watching Gelb, who, despite having some gray hairs, displayed an infectious youthful charm — juggling fruit, spouting limericks and bouncing around like a precocious teenager — it doesn’t take a genius to see that he’s on to something.

His talk was focused on using the principles outlined in his book to help those in attendance with their work and career as writers. But it struck me that these principles, which Gelb gleaned from Leonardo’s writings and works, are a wonderful map for aspiring wine lovers. So with Gelb’s permission, I’d like to explore how Leonardo Da Vinci (as interpreted by Gelb) can teach you a deeper appreciation for wine.

From Da Vinci’s life and works, Gelb distilled seven principles that he feels embody “genius thinking.” Each offers something to the wine lover.

Viktor Korchnoi, now 80, is still performing at a high level, as can be seen from his 60% score in the Tradewise Gibraltar tournament which finished earlier this month. Korchnoi’s gerontological feat might be considered amazing but it should be borne in mind that Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is generally considered superior to his first while Shakespeare’s Tempest (also his last masterpiece) is regarded as one of his best.

A new book Brain Power – Improve Your Mind as you Age (New World Library) by Michael Gelb and Kelly Howell gives concrete examples of superlative achievements in great age and offers tips, advice and instruction as to how to keep the brain healthy. Chess is given particular prominence since medical research indicates that the game is a powerful remedy against the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The authors quote Leonardo da Vinci, often regarded as the illustrator of the chess treatise De Ludo Schacorum, by the renaissance mathematician Luca Pacioli (see article in The Times of 10 March 2008), “Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity… even so does inaction sap the vigour of the mind.”

I’ve been teaching people to improve their minds as they get older since the beginning of my career. I led my first seminar on the subject back in 1978 when I was just 26 years old. Well, I’m approaching 60, and now, it’s SERIOUS! When I first started leading seminars I was usually the youngest person in the room, and now I’m almost always the oldest.

Although I’m blessed with abundant energy and passion for my work, I also experience the challenges of aging. For example, a few years ago my right hip began to hurt. Despite my positive attitude and holistic health practices, (and my access to many world class complementary medicine practitioners and energy healers) my hip joint continued to degrade. Thanks to the brilliance of contemporary medical technology I was able to get a new hip joint. Then, my right knee started to break down, and 5 weeks ago I had total knee replacement surgery. The recovery has been difficult but I’m making progress and hope to be up and running (literally!) soon.

It’s clear that some of our parts, like hips and knees, do wear out with use. The good news, however, is that the brain isn’t one of those parts. Indeed, the brain is designed to IMPROVE with use. So what’s the best way to use it to ensure improvement?

This is the intention behind my new book, Brain Power: Improve Your Mind as You Age – to explain, in clear and accessible terms, the research-validated, practical things that you can do, or stop doing, to improve your mind every year of your life. The bookis based on the confluence of timeless wisdom, practical experience, and the latest research. Contemporary science has established that you can improve your mind as you age, and you can begin that process of improvement now.

Start by embracing a positive, optimistic, attitude toward aging. According to Becca Levy PhD individuals with a positive attitude outlive those with a pessimistic approach by an average of more than 7 years! Find a guiding purpose for your life and cultivate gratitude, forgiveness, and humor. Continuous learning is the true fountain of youth, so learn something new every day and embrace fresh challenges. Much of what passes for senility and memory loss over the years is a function of the depletion of the supply of oxygen to the brain, so oxygenate your brain and sharpen your wits by creating an approach to exercise that you enjoy, and practice the simple principles of healthy eating. Surround yourself with beauty and a positive, multisensory, stimulus-rich environment. Invest in your social wealth, and practice meditation daily. (Brain Power includes a free link to the brain wave synchronization technology developed by my co-author Kelly Howell. This free audio download will help you train your brain to effortlessly create the brain waves associated with deep meditation).

Imagine the wonderful new world that would emerge if a critical mass of people applied these simple principles. And imagine the huge savings in health-care costs!

Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr penned one of the wisest statements ever made about aging, and life in general. His Serenity Prayer, adopted as a credo by AA and other groups, advises us to embrace:

The serenity to accept the things we cannot change;
the courage to change the things we can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Since most of us were raised with ideas about aging that are inaccurate, such as the faulty notions that our mental capacity is fixed at age five and that our brain cells degrade yearly after the age of 30 — we tend to underestimate what we can realistically change. The Serenity Prayer reveals the secret of aging gracefully and intelligently –serenely accept and embrace the transitory nature of life and the increasing vulnerabilities that present themselves over time –while wisely and courageously cultivating the vast possibilities of mind, body and spirit.

Who are your role models for aging? What are your expectations and attitudes about the progress of your mind as you get older? Do you expect your memory to be better or worse in ten or twenty years? How about your sex life? What are your fears, concerns, and worries about getting older? Are you hoping that someone will develop the mental equivalent of Viagra?

In the last thirty years, the scientific evidence supporting the notion that your mind can improve through the years has become overwhelming. Clearly, the question is no longer whether your mind can improve with age but, rather, how you can optimize your mental powers as you get older.

This book presents practical, evidence-based wisdom to help you answer this question. You’ll learn new skills to increase memory, intelligence, creativity, and concentration. And you’ll cultivate greater confidence and healthy optimism as you discover how to improve your mind as you age.

“You will find, on every page, useful and intriguing knowledge, resources, practices, exercises, and technologies to unleash your brain power and improve your mind as you age. Buy it, read it, live it!”
— Tony Buzan, author of Use Both Sides of Your Brain

“This book offers an excellent collection of tools to improve your mind and life. I hope everyone will read this wonderful resource, which can help us all to not just survive but thrive.”
— Bernie Siegel, MD, author of 365 Prescriptions for the Soul and A Book of Miracles

“Brain Power is beautifully written, weaving together science, art, and history to provide the evidence and practical tools to enhance your brain function so that you can have a brilliant life. Everyone should read this book.”
— Eva Selhub, MD, author of The Love Response and instructor at Harvard Medical School

“In Brain Power, Michael Gelb and Kelly Howell present us with one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date reviews of simple yet powerful strategies we can all implement to not just preserve but actually improve the power of our brains as we age. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in wellness and longevity.”
— Tereza Hubkova, MD, integrative specialist, Canyon Ranch, Lenox, MA

“This wonderful book offers everything you need to know to improve your mind as you age. The latest science combined with a user-friendly, highly entertaining presentation make this book a winner. Highly recommended!”
— Hyla Cass, MD, author of 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health

“Brain Power is an essential, practical, and inspiring guide to improving your mind as you age. Savor the sounds and meanings to bring harmony to your life. This book is ageless!”
— Don Campbell, author of The Mozart Effect and Healing at the Speed of Sound

Thinking creatively, learning faster and staying centered, these abilities are at a premium in a rapidly changing and complex world. What if you could call on history’s greatest genius, Leonardo da Vinci, to be your personal mentor in cultivating these highly prized elements of human capital? Anatomist, architect, botanist, city planner, chef, engineer, equestrian, inventor, geographer, geologist, musician, painter, and philosopher, Leonardo da Vinci helped bring the Western world out of the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. Now, his approach to optimizing human potential is more relevant than ever.

You will be guided to apply the 7 principles for thinking like Leonardo, through a proven series of practical exercises, to your deepest life questions. The da Vinci principles are:

Leonardo da Vinci invented the parachute before anyone could fly. That’s thinking ahead! Imagine what you will accomplish when you learn the approach of humanity’s supreme archetype for the fulfillment of human potential.

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Reliability

In 35 years Michael has appeared at everyscheduled engagement on-time.